Chapter 50: Thousand Bamboo Sect

Before a black mountain, a winding path led three figures, leading their mounts as they chatted leisurely and walked slowly forward.

At the front was an elderly man in blue robes; behind him walked a man and a woman—Wang Yu, Lord of Tianhe County, and others.

The ancient Qi cultivators are the oldest and longest-lasting cultivation method of our human race. Though long since replaced by immortals, they are still adopted by many immortal sects and family clans due to their lack of need for spiritual roots and their astonishing close-combat power after physical strengthening, specifically used to train guardian warriors.

These guardian warriors need not cultivate spells; they focus solely on Qi cultivation. Once they enter the path and are willing to endure hardship, just twenty years of simple Qi cultivation can grant them considerable close-combat strength, dedicated to protecting important disciples and young masters.

But because guardian warriors generally have short lifespans, their peak strength usually lasts only twenty to thirty years when their blood and qi are most vigorous; after fifty or sixty, their power plummets rapidly.

Thus, in the immortal world, it is said that cultivators are like rivers, while guardian warriors are like grass and trees.

Of course, some immortal disciples who pride themselves on exceptional talent may simultaneously practice the Qi cultivator path, but they often abandon it midway.

After all, immortal cultivators who break through major realms directly extend their lifespans; they barely have time to cultivate their own spiritual power, let alone spend years simultaneously practicing Qi cultivation.

But if you truly encounter a high-level immortal who still practices the Qi path, I advise you to run as far as you can—such individuals are usually the legendary prodigies, beyond ordinary reasoning, true masters of both spiritual and physical cultivation.

The blue-robed cultivator led the way ahead, slowly explaining the ways of Qi cultivators to Wang Yu and the others behind him.

“So, guardian warriors hold low status in immortal sects and family clans?” Wang Yu couldn’t help asking.

“Generally speaking, yes. Even if a guardian warrior has exceptional talent in Qi cultivation, their short lifespan prevents them from rivaling high-level cultivators—except for rare individuals who practice both paths or have ways to extend their lives.

Once a guardian warrior reaches high rank, their power may even surpass that of a cultivator at the same level; even Foundation Establishment masters and Golden Core ancestors treat them with respect and dare not slight them.

But the decline of ancient Qi cultivators is not without reason. First, entering the path is extremely difficult, requiring innate physical strength and vigorous blood and qi; among ordinary people, the proportion is not much higher than that of those with spiritual roots.

Second, the further one advances in Qi cultivation, the more brutal the physical refinement becomes—the training process can be bloody and cruel, so Qi cultivation was once classified among demonic arts. The number of high-level guardian warriors is far rarer than that of Foundation Establishment or Golden Core ancestors.

Young Wang, if you take an old man’s advice, abandon Qi cultivation early and focus solely on spiritual power. Otherwise, when your lifespan dwindles as mine has, you’ll regret dividing your attention too much in youth—but by then, it will be too late.” After explaining further, Hua Lao replied with a melancholy expression.

“Thank you, Master Hua, for your guidance.”

Hearing this, Wang Yu was moved and bowed in thanks.

“Master Hua, I’ve met true Foundation Establishment masters and know they live two hundred years, but can Golden Core ancestors really live six or seven hundred years?” Lady Tianhe, listening intently, couldn’t help interjecting.

“Others may not know, but our sect’s Zi Guang Ancestor has indeed lived five hundred years. I saw him once, thirty years ago, from afar during a grand ceremony—he still looked middle-aged, with jet-black hair.” Hua Lao hesitated before uttering words that shocked Wang Yu.

“What? Master Hua, you’re a sect disciple? Can Golden Core ancestors live six or seven hundred years?” Wang Yu blurted out, incredulous.

If the former surprised him, the latter’s lifespan truly shattered his imagination—if one could truly live this long…

Wang Yu’s heart pounded. A thought, never before conceived, suddenly surfaced, and he fell into deep contemplation.

“Didn’t you know? Besides reaching the Golden Core realm, which adds five hundred years to one’s lifespan, consuming longevity-enhancing pills and spiritual items can also grant an extra one or two hundred years.

Also, though my cultivation is low, I am indeed an outer disciple of the Thousand Bamboo Sect. Compared to other sects, ours is relatively easy to join.” Hua Lao smiled in reply.

“That’s right, Brother Wang. I came to Guangyuan Market specifically to join the Thousand Bamboo Sect.

My uncle is an outer elder of the Thousand Bamboo Sect. You’re skilled, and as long as your spiritual root isn’t too poor, I can ask him for a spot for you—we can take the entrance test together. Perhaps later we can support each other within the sect.” Lady Tianhe clapped her hands and smiled charmingly at Wang Yu.

“This… I’m ashamed, I know little of the Thousand Bamboo Sect. Moreover, isn’t Guangyuan Market under the Four Symbols Sect? Why would you join the Thousand Bamboo Sect here?” Wang Yu finally snapped out of his thoughts and asked hesitantly.

“Heh, the Thousand Bamboo Sect is on equal footing with the Four Symbols Sect, though its mountain gate isn’t in Tongzhou—it’s in Jingzhou, also under Great Ming. Though the two prefectures aren’t adjacent, Guangyuan Market has a direct spiritual boat route to Jingzhou’s market, so I escorted Lady Tianhe here first.” Hua Lao explained briefly.

“I see. To be honest, I’ve just formed my spiritual root and don’t yet know its quality. I came to Guangyuan Market to test it with a spiritual artifact. If it’s decent, I’ll consider joining a sect; otherwise, it’s just a waste of time.” Wang Yu thought for a moment and replied vaguely, without outright refusing.

“Good. Lady Tianhe and I will stay in Guangyuan Market for a while. If you test your spiritual root and wish to join our sect, come find us anytime. Elder Shi dotes on Lady Tianhe—he’ll grant you an opportunity if she asks. This is her way of repaying your life-saving deed.” Hua Lao smiled, finally revealing the true intent behind his earlier words.

Wang Yu nodded silently and said nothing more.

The white-robed woman beside them glanced at Hua Lao, her expression darkening slightly, as if suddenly losing interest in the conversation.

At this moment, the three had reached the end of the path, before a vast, dark cliff.

The blue-robed elder didn’t pause—he led Wang Yu and the others straight into the massive cliff ahead.

“Puff.”

The cliff suddenly dissolved into a gray mist, which vanished instantly; ahead lay a vast plain, mostly covered in neat fields and scattered individual homes.

Farther away stood a massive valley built against the mountain, where dense clusters of buildings could be faintly seen along the entrance and the peaks behind.

Wang Yu took a deep breath and immediately sensed the spiritual energy here was nearly twice as dense as the outside world—he was overjoyed and followed Hua Lao steadily toward the valley.